BI2EC4-Ecology and Management of Plant Diseases
Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 10 [5ECTS credits]
Terms in which taught: Autumn
Module Convenor: Dr
MW
Shaw
Pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2008/9
Email: m.w.shaw@reading.ac.uk
Aims:
To introduce the major classes of organisms causing plant disease, show when and why they have major impacts on ecosystems and on society, consider when outcomes are beneficial or harmful, and discuss what can be done to modify the abundance or severity of a disease.
Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module it is expected that the student will
Recognise an introductory range of plant diseases caused by the main groups of plant pathogens and abiotic agents
Additional outcomes:
Appreciation of the complexity of natural and cultivated ecosystems; improved library research, identification and problem solving skills.
Outline content:
This module will cover some of the basics of the biology of the major taxonomic groups causing plant disease; show how disease is the outcome of the interaction of host, environment and pathogen; describe some contrasting examples to show how disease may alter ecosystems and impact on society; describe what is known of the factors that regulate disease; and discuss, by reference to examples, what interventions may reduce the problems caused by disease or enhance the beneficial effects
The Lecture Content covers:
Plants as food resources: competition among decomposers: the plants response
Ultra-specialists: rusts, smuts, mildews: what conditions do they like? What regulates them? Arms races and higher trophic levels
Aerial pathogens: ascomycete fungi, bacteria and viruses
Soil pathogens and soil beneficials: fungi, nematodes, bacteria and viruses
Historical epidemics: the Irish and Bengal famines; ergotism; dutch elm disease
Practical problems: some case-histories and the tools used
Lessons from case-histories: management or response? The future.
The Practical Content covers:
Field specimen collection and individual laboratory examination of diseased plants, recording the observations appropriately.
Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
For the first half of term there will be a 1 hour lecture followed by a practical of up to 3 h, to familiarise students with the organisms under discussion. In the second half of term there will be two lectures per week; external reading will be needed and problem sheets will be provided, with a tutorial session based on these in weeks 6, 8 and 10.
Contact hours:
| Autumn | Spring | Summer | |
| Lectures | 15 | ||
| Tutorials/seminars | |||
| Practicals | 15 | ||
| Other contact (eg study visits) | 3 | ||
| Total hours | |||
| Number of essays or assignments | 0 | ||
| Other (eg major seminar paper) | 1 test |
Assessment:
Coursework:
Lab notebooks will be scrutinised against specific criteria, with detailed appraisal of records from a random practical in the second half of the course. There will also be a factual test.
Relative percentage of coursework: 30%
Penalties for late submission:
The penalties for late submission of coursework in accordance with University Guidelines
Examinations: One-and-half hour examination, by scenario-type or discussion extended answer questions
Requirements for a pass: 40%
Reassessment arrangements:
Re-examination in August/September only